Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan as Complementary Therapy of Fluoropyrimidine-Based Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer

Fucoidan from brown seaweed Tubinaria decurrens: Structure and structure - anticancer activity relationship

The aims of this study are to determine the structure of a fucoidan from brown seaweed Turbinaria decurrens, to investigate its anticancer activity and structure-activity relationship. SEC-MALLS, IR, ESI-MS and NMR spectra analysis indicated that dominant structure of the fucoidan, with a Mw 122.6 KDa, has a backbone of (1 → 3)- and (1 → 4)-α-L-Fucp residues, branched at C-4, sulfate groups are attached at C-2, C-3 and C-4; branches are (1 → 4)-β-D-Galp residues and sulfated at C-2. The fucoidan was hydrolyzed by HCl aqueous solution to obtain hydrolyzed fucoidans. It is assumed that native and hydrolyzed fucoidans have a rod-like conformation in solution with cross-sectional radius of gyration (Rgc) ranged from 0.53 to 1.52 nm as estimated from SAXS measurements. The fucoidans show great anticancer activity against HT29 human colon cancer cell line with IC50 ranging from 5.41 ± 0.36 to 73.52 ± 2.54 μg/mL. Anticancer activity of the fucoidan could be significantly improved by lowering molecular weight, furthermore, fucoidan required small molecular weight, small molecular weight distribution and rod-like structure with a short branch length for high anticancer activity.

Low-molecular-weight fucoidan inhibits the proliferation of melanoma via Bcl-2 phosphorylation and PTEN/AKT pathway

Fucoidan, a sulfate polysaccharide obtained from brown seaweed, has various bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-Helicobacter pylori properties. However, the effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMW-F) on melanoma cell lines and three dimensional (3D) cell culture models are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LMW-F on A375 human melanoma cells and cryopreserved biospecimens derived from patients with advanced melanoma. Ultrasonic wave was used to fragment fucoidan derived from Fucus vesiculosus into smaller LMW-F. MTT and live/dead assays showed that LMW-F inhibited cell proliferation in both A375 cells and patient-derived melanoma explants in a 3D-printed collagen scaffold. The PTEN/AKT pathway was found to be involved in the anti-melanoma effects of fucoidan. Western blot analysis revealed that LMW-F reduced the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 at Thr 56, which was associated with the prevention of anti-apoptotic activity of cancer cells. Our findings suggested that LMW-F could enhance anti-melanoma chemotherapy and improve the outcomes of patients with melanoma resistance.

Production of high- and low-molecular weight fucoidan fragments with defined sulfation patterns and heightened in vitro anticancer activity against TNBC cells using novel endo-fucanases of the GH107 family

Fucoidans are complex fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides with pronounced anticancer effects. Their structure-anticancer activity relationships are difficult to determine due to fucoidans' complex, often irregularities-including structures. Fucoidan-active enzymes can be used for this propose. We have investigated two new recombinant endo-fucanases FWf3 and FWf4 from the marine bacterium Wenyingzhuangia fucanilytica CZ1127^T that belong to the 107 family of glycoside hydrolases (GH). Both enzymes cleaved α-(1→4)-glycosidic bonds but in fucoidan fragments with different sulfation patterns. FWf3 is the first characterized endo-fucanase that cleaves glycosidic bonds between 2O- and 2,4diO-sulfated L-fucose residues. The obtained endo-fucanases were used to produce low- and high-molecular weight fucoidan derivatives with different sulfate group locations. Low- and high-molecular weight fucoidan derivatives rich with 2,4diO-sulfation were shown to inhibit MDA-MB-231 cell colony formation more efficiently than the native fucoidan and the derivatives sulfated otherwise. Such derivatives effectively suppressed the mitochondrial membrane potential of MDA-MB-231 cells and reduced the expression of the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Co-treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with the fucoidan derivatives and oligomycin (an OXPHOS inhibitor) resulted in a synergistic anticancer effect. The data obtained demonstrate, that fucoidan and its 2,4diO-sulfated derivatives can be an effective adjunct in TNBC therapy targeting cell metabolism.

The Auxiliary Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Before Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Patients with cancer use low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF) as a supplement to therapy. However, most studies of LMF are in vitro or conducted using animals. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the gold standard for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This study investigated the quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcomes of patients with LARC taking LMF as a supplement to neoadjuvant CCRT. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. The sample comprised 87 patients, of whom 44 were included in a fucoidan group and 43 were included in a placebo group. We compared their QoL scores and clinical outcomes before treatment, and at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months posttreatment. Pretreatment and posttreatment gut microbiota differences were also compared. Although enhanced physical well-being (PWB) at 2 months and 3 months posttreatment in the fucoidan group were observed (both P < .0125), the improvements of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Patients with Colorectal Cancer (FACT-C) were nonsignificant (all P > .0125). Skin rash and itching and fatigue were less common in the fucoidan group (both P < .05). Posttreatment, the genus Parabacteroides was significantly more common in the gut microbiota of the fucoidan group. LMF administration improved the QoL, skin rash and itching, fatigue, and gut microbiota composition of the patients with LARC receiving CCRT.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04342949.